Hey guys!
I feel like I should be able to get scholarships, but I don’t know where to search to get them.
Here’s my information:
GPA 4.0
Yearly income about $15,000
EFC about 1200
Non-traditional student (30 years old)
First in my family to get a degree
Female majoring in Computer Science
The only thing I’m not strong in is extracurricular activities because I’m holding a full time job while I go to school so don’t have time to join and lead groups in college.
I’ve applied at my school, through the PTK website and am working on my application at SWE.org. I really like these avenues and am looking for more like this. Mostly what I find when I search for scholarships are the sweepstakes-like websites.
How do I find more reputable scholarship applications to fill out?
Thanks for your help!
Are you a transfer student with a 4.0 GPA in college courses (community college?), or someone who complete high school with a 4.0 GPA but has not taken any college courses since then and has not taken any SAT or ACT or other tests?
What is your state of residency?
She took the ACT earlier this year and got a 33 composite.
Transferring from community college.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18134564#Comment_18134564
Unfortunately, merit scholarships do not seem to be very common for transfer students.
Looks like the other thread indicates targeting University of South Florida and probably Florida residency.
USF’s net price calculator suggests a $9,312 net price (versus a list price of $20,590) for a low income 30 year old student. If it is accurate, then you could cover that with a federal direct loan and some part time work earnings. However, USF’s net price calculator asks very few questions, and only has income in brackets (under $30,000, $30,000-$39,999, etc.), so it would be reasonable to expect it to be less accurate than most other net price calculators.
No trad 30 yo. Cc transfer?
That’s right. I have about 50 college credits in community college and am transferring to USF next Fall with my AA degree. I live in Florida. ACT = 33.
You should probably look at schools that have deep pockets and programs for non traditional students. Example; Ada Comstock Scholars program at Smith, McBride Scholars program at Bryn Mawr
You took the ACT as a college student. That’s not going to matter much at this point. It’s a test for high school students.
There aren’t many awards for transfer students. I agree with Sybbie…apply to those programs at Smith and Bryn Mawr. Also, maybe Cornell.
If you want to stay in Florida, you need to look for,scholarships that specifically target non-traditional students in Florida. The programs at Smith and Bryn Mawr are excellent, but if you don’t want to relocate, or need your full time job (and can continue it) while going to college, moving to,the northeast may not be an option.
Contact the financial aid department at UCF. Ask,them if they have any scholarships specific to students like you who are older than the typical college student. Discuss this with your CC transfer advisor as well.
I’m not sure on the rules or dates but Jack Kent Cooke is a transfer scholarship. Very competitive. See if your CC has a transfer scholarship. Apply to any at the school level or department level that you qualify for. Check local rotary, elks but likely thoe are for HS students. Your bank or employer may have some.
You may want to see if Columbia and University of Southern California are possible schools to apply to, since they seem to take non-trivial numbers of transfer students but have good need-based financial aid (check their net price calculators).
This is a non-traditional 30 year old with a full time job who lives in Florida. First question that needs to be answered…can this person relocate…second…do,they want to relocate.
It’s fine to suggest these far away schools, but it is very possible that this student can’t move away. Hoping the OP clarifies whether they can look at colleges far afield of Florida.
^^^
good point. Another issue is: The person may have children, spouse/SO and can’t relocate. Also, a 30 year old wouldn’t be in a dorm, so the cost of off-campus housing could be an issue, particularly around USC. I imagine that the safer/better areas off-campus might be pricey.
Yes, I need to stay in Florida and continue my full time job. Also, my family is here and not interested in moving away from them at this point.
I’m definitely exploring the options at both my CC and at USF and will be applying for many scholarships through both of them.
I ran across ptk.org, became a member and applied for about 5 scholarships in one application, all for honors students. I also found swe.org and did the same thing except they have about 50 scholarships available for women in STEM.
I feel like there are more scholarships of this flavor - reputable organizations which offer many scholarships for a particular type of student. I just don’t know where to find them.
Consider taking a position at a company that has tuition reimbursement! Taking a low-level job may be an awesome step towards your next BIG step. I work for a company that hires from within, and we love people like you!
^ That’s a great idea. Alternately, if you are qualified, look for a university staff job. Often those positions come with tuition remission benefits.
You feel like there are more ores like them, but I know of those orgs and no others like them FYI.